Though a long time coming, the biggest event in Australia this decade — the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games — is now just a few days away.
For Griffith University graduates, professional partners and married couple Gabby and Adam Daniels, the anticipation surrounding the event is tempered with a steely attention to responsibility. Both have played important roles in the lead-up to the Games and these will continue throughout the 11 days of the event.
As Manager Accommodation, Gabby commenced with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) in late 2014, and she knows her business and hotel management credentials are about to face their most daunting challenge.
“Daunting, yes, nerve-wracking, yes, but mostly exciting for me and my amazing accommodation team,” says Gabby, who graduated with a Bachelor of Business (Hotel Management, Finance) in 2003.
“It’s our role to source, contract and book accommodation that meets the needs and service levels for over 7,000 constituents per night across the Gold Coast and event cities Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns.
To achieve this, Gabby developed the first ever in-house accommodation model specifically for the Games, one which has streamlined factors including venue accessibility and transport requirements.
“It’s been great to work with the Gold Coast tourism and hospitality industry and key stakeholders on this project, as well as having the ability to recruit fellow Griffith University graduates,” says Gabby, who before joining GOLDOC was in a senior management role within the industry.
“When we started out, I wanted to instil that sense of local pride and commitment and really focus on the opportunities and legacy for the Gold Coast as we worked together towards this goal. And now it’s so close.”
Meanwhile, Adam graduated with a Bachelor of Exercise Science in 2002 and followed that with a Master of Physiotherapy in 2005. Director at a physiotherapy practice in the northern Gold Coast suburb of Helensvale — the company launched in 2012 — Adam will also play a key role as a Medical Volunteer for the Commonwealth Games.
Applying an evidence-based approach to clinical practice with “your link to lifelong health” as its philosophy, the Helensvale practice also specialises in treatment and rehabilitation for cricketers. Furthermore, it supports a number of local sporting clubs, even partnering a local school with a program especially for fast bowlers.
Like Gabby at GOLDOC, Adam’s team features many fellow Griffith University alumni. The pair have fond memories of their time at the University.
“The teaching I received was so great, so personal, and that continues today,” says Adam. “It has guided the way we work through our careers.
“We believe that by employing our physiotherapists rather than contracting them, this improves long-term patient care and outcomes and encourages a deeper connection with our community.”